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Forums - Discs & Movies - Disc VS Disk

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It could be incomplete or in process right now. I looked at the US's patent and trademark office and the only thing that came up was a patent application for the player itself, but nothing for the term.

Adrian wrote: And Mal, I don't know about anywhere else, but Blu-Ray Disc is not a trademark in the US. Only information I have on the subject is the Blu-ray FAQ, have a look at point 1.2: http://www.blu-ray.com/faq/#bluray_name I guess it's not registered yet, got no idea since I am not an expert on the subject, just using it to give an example.

Quote: The correct full name is Blu-ray Disc, not Blu-ray Disk (incorrect spelling) The correct shortened name is Blu-ray, not Blu-Ray (incorrect capitalization) or Blue-ray (incorrect spelling) The correct abbreviation is BD, not BR or BRD (wrong abbreviation)

The fact remains that you guys are talking about preferences and calling that a standard. There is no standard. Both spellings derive from the word DISK which means "he seemingly flat figure of a celestial body". Disk is actually the proper spelling of the term and disc is the less used variant. See disk listing from Meriam-Webster. According to that dictionary, hard disk and optical disk are both the correct way of spelling it.

Not trying to be snarky or anything, but it seems silly to me that people insist that their preference is the only right way of doing anything.

Maybe the distinction between the two terms is solely a British thing. I can remember when magnetic media existed and even at that time the terms were used interchangeably. The only reason to select one over the other would be for copyright/trademark reasons. However, one company would be able to copyright the term Compact Disc and another Compact Disk because of the likelihood of confussion. Just because a company decides on a variant spelling for financial reasons also doesn't make it right.

And Mal, I don't know about anywhere else, but Blu-Ray Disc is not a trademark in the US.

And Chris, there was a reason that there was a smiley face after that comment. However, referring to British English as "real English" doesn't really do anyone any favors as well. Both are recognized as dialects of the same official language. However, of the English speakers in the world, you would be hard pressed to find ones that speak British English outside of the former colonies (excluding the US and mostly Canada as well.)

As another aside, the DVD acronym apparently has no official meaning according to Jim Taylor's DVD FAQ

Adrian wrote: Real english! ROFL! When you become the economic super power, then you can decie what is "real english"

That may have been a tongue in cheek comment, but if not it doesn't do you or your countrymen any favours. The spelling 'disc' is used because it's a trademark. Writing 'disk' when talking about DVDs is wrong because the DVD Forum says so, it's as simple as that. Having a strong opinion on something, does not make it the correct way of doing things

Traditionally disc is used to refer to optical storage methods, where disk is used to refer to magnetic storage. Disc is the preferred British spelling of the word when used in an every day context.

Perhaps you'd like to read the FAQ at the DVDForum website? Not a mention of 'disk' in sight.

Adrian wrote: Real english! ROFL! When you become the economic super power, then you can decie what is "real english"

What does economics have to do with anything? It wasn't a snarky anti-american remark, it's just fact. English comes from England. If you aren't speaking or writing it they way they do, you aren't speaking real english.

This topic isn't really about English dialects, it's more to do with standards and trademarks. For example, Blu-ray Disc is a trademarked name, you could call it Blue Ray Disk without much of a problem, but that wouldn't be the offical way to write it.

Jonny "Me You" wrote: Then so many people get it wrong that the dictionary now lists it either way. Or, it could be an american thing. A lot of words like Nite or dropping u's such as in colour for color - don't actually exist in real english.

Real english! ROFL! When you become the economic super power, then you can decie what is "real english" (In fact, I am a little confused that you would argue about "real english" as I would bet your English is closer to American variation than the British variety.)

An you are wrong that people misuse so it becomes acceptable. This is just a case where there is no wrong way. Having a strong opinion on something, does not make it the only correct way of doing things.

Adrian wrote: May be a pet peeve, but you are actually technically wrong. According to Webster's disk and disc are variants of each other that can be used interchangeably.

Then so many people get it wrong that the dictionary now lists it either way. Or, it could be an american thing. A lot of words like Nite or dropping u's such as in colour for color - don't actually exist in real english.

I honestly didn't know there was a difference before I started working here, which leads me to believe that it's a bit of a British thing. Then anyone whose ever edited my stuff knows that I really suck at remebering such things as I write. Of course I notice when others mess stuff up though.

Quote: Note: the american spelling, "disk", is normal for most computer disks whereas "compact disc", having come to computers via the audio world, is correctly spelled with a "c", indeed, this spelling is part of the CD standard.